Bridging Generations, The Long Journey towards Gender Equality: Youth Reflections on UN Women’s 2025 IWD

by Eunbin Amylia Hong

UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Centre in the Republic of Korea hosted its 3rd annual International Women’s Day (IWD) commemoration event at Lotte Hotel Seoul on 12 March, bringing together approximately 250 participants, including policymakers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives. It was more than just an event; it was a call to action, a reminder that true equality must be inclusive, intersectional, and uncompromising.

As a youth attendee, I found myself among 250 inspiring leaders, officials, and changemakers, all gathered with a shared purpose. The event began with video remarks, setting the tone for what would be a day of profound conversations and revelations. During four hours of discussions and speeches, I gained countless insights, but a few resonated particularly deeply and will remain with me for a long time.

One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the keynote speech by H.E. Ban Ki-moon. As a former UN Secretary-General and Chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, he reflected on both the progress made and the work that remains to be done to get women’s rights proper recognition by the global community. His words carried great weight, especially when he stated, “Cultures are often used as excuses for not doing enough.” his words struck a chord with the Korean audience of women’s rights advocates, where women’s rights advocates who continue to face challenges within a traditionally patriarchal society.

The "Inspirations" segment was the heartbeat of the event. Alison Miriam Davidian, UN Women’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, shared powerful stories of women on the frontlines of the fight for equal rights. One statement stayed with me: "Women’s rights are the most vulnerable when political tides shift." I volunteer at the War and Women’s Rights Museum, where one of my jobs is to clean the wall portraits of women victims—many of whom were wui-ahn bu, Korean sex slaves during the Japanese colonization period. Every week, as I look into their eyes, the emotions I cannot put into words make Alison’s message feel even more true to me.

Yewon Kim, a disability rights advocate, then took the stage, urging us to rethink inclusivity. She reminded us, “Equality means nothing if it does not include ALL women, including those with disabilities.” Her words challenged me to broaden my activism, look beyond mainstream issues, and to fight for those who are often left out of the conversation. She introduced the listeners to a Korean proverb, “Gyeran euro Ba-Wui Chigi (계란으로 바위 치기),” meaning ‘trying to break a rock with eggs.’ Fighting for rights can feel just as impossible. But she reminded us: when enough eggs strike the rock, the world can’t look away — and in the end, even the hardest rock will surrender.

Humberto Carolo, Executive Director at White Ribbon Canada, emphasized the importance of engaging men and boys in the fight for gender equality. He reiterated that feminism is not a battle of the sexes but a movement for humanity. His words reflect the current landscape of women’s rights in Korea, where many men, in particular, mistake feminism for misandry. Many young advocates hesitate to speak out, fearing backlash. Addressing this issue as a critical challenge was a valuable moment for me, reinforcing the need for inclusive dialogue.

Throughout the day, I met brilliant individuals—many of whom were mothers and fathers.

During the networking lunch, a woman sitting beside me told me that she is working not just for her generation but for her daughter and granddaughter as well. She reminded me of my own mother, who woke up at 4 a.m. that morning and drove five hours to take me to the event venue. Her sacrifices, and those of countless mothers before her, have paved the way for the opportunities we girls have today. It is now our turn to carry that legacy forward.

As a high school senior, preoccupied with school work and college applications, I have often questioned whether my efforts can truly make an impact. But today, I realized that change never happens immediately or linearly. It is a culmination of the love and hard work of mothers and fathers wishing a better world for their children, and of women who have suffered and refuse to let future generations endure the same pain.

If there is one lesson I took away from this event, it is this: the fight for gender equality cannot exclude anyone. It must be for ALL women and girls—the marginalized, the forgotten, the unseen. The voices of the next generation are not just welcome in this fight; they are necessary.

So, the question remains:

What will we do with the power we have? Because equality is not given—it is demanded, fought for, and won. And it starts with us.